Does session audio ever leave my device?

With a local transcription model, the recording stays on your device. With OpenWhispr Cloud, audio is sent only to transcribe it, then immediately discarded. Choose the mode that fits the session and your workflow.

Can I use this for confidential client notes?

Confidentiality is your professional responsibility, and no tool removes that responsibility. Local processing is the deliberate choice when a highly sensitive session calls for device-only work. Cloud transcription discards audio immediately after transcription. Follow the standards and requirements that apply to your practice.

Can it recognize client names and clinical terminology?

Yes. Add names, medications, modalities, and practice terms to the custom dictionary so OpenWhispr uses the spellings you need. It also supports speech-to-text in more than 100 languages.

Will it work when I do not have Wi-Fi?

Yes. Local transcription models run entirely on your device, without an internet connection. Choose local before you need that offline path.

Does it write a note or just transcribe?

OpenWhispr turns your spoken session note into clean text. You can then review, edit, and save it in the record system you use.

Is the free plan actually useful?

Yes. Free includes unlimited local dictation, a custom dictionary, and a limited Cloud allowance. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited Cloud transcription, more meeting-recording time, sync, mobile, and API/MCP access. Business adds unlimited meeting recordings, Agent mode, and chat over data.

Dictation software for therapists

Dictate the session. Get the note written up.

Turn spoken session notes into clean text while the details are still clear. Choose Cloud for no-download speed or local processing for sensitive and offline work.

Open source · 80,000+ downloads

Dictate into:

SimplePracticeTherapyNotesJaneTheraNestSessions HealthMicrosoft Word

What slows a session note

You remember the session now. The keyboard comes later.

Capture the clinical detail while it is fresh, then choose the transcription path that fits the session and your setting.

A full day leaves notes until evening.

Back-to-back sessions leave little room to type between clients. Dictate the note while the session is fresh, then review the clean text before you save it.

Client conversations need a deliberate path.

Choose local transcription for highly sensitive sessions or offline work. Your device processes the audio, so you keep control of where the transcription happens.

Names and terms need to come out right.

Add client names, medications, modalities, and practice terms to the custom dictionary so OpenWhispr has the spellings you use.

The quick setup should stay quick.

When speed matters most, Cloud avoids a local model download and discards transcription audio immediately after transcription.

What you get

Session notes while the session is still clear.

Use Cloud for fast transcription without a model download. For sensitive notes or an offline day, local processing keeps transcription on your device.

Therapist speaking while seated at an open laptop at a table in a warm office with a bookshelf and armchair

Cloud transcription without a local model download

Press your hotkey and dictate the session note. Cloud transcribes without a local model download, then discards the transcription audio immediately.

Therapist gesturing while talking with a client, both in armchairs, a notebook on his lap and a laptop on the side table

Local processing for sensitive or offline work

Choose a local model when a highly sensitive session or an offline day calls for device-only transcription. Review the text before it becomes part of the record.

Counsellor working at a laptop along a window counter in a counseling centre, a closed folder beside them

Dictation wherever your cursor is

Use a hotkey to dictate into your practice system, a referral letter, an email, or Word. Clean, punctuated text lands where you are already working.

Client session audio sent to us

None

in local mode, transcription stays on your device

Cost per therapist

unlimited local dictation, every therapist, forever

Setup takes

5 min

from download to your first dictated session note

How it works

A session note written up before the next client.

Start free, choose Cloud for the quickest high-performance setup or local for sensitive and offline work, then dictate while the session is fresh.

Man speaking while typing at a laptop at a round table in a bright office lounge with plants

Download for free.

Mac, Windows, or Linux. Choose Cloud for no local model download or local for sensitive and offline work.

Dictate the session note.

Press your hotkey, speak the details you need to record, and OpenWhispr turns your voice into text.

Review, save, delete.

Edit the text, save it in your practice system, and delete the audio when you are done. You stay in control of the record.

No convincing needed

10 reasons therapists choose OpenWhispr

A dictation tool touches sensitive conversations. Here are the product facts, so you can choose the setup that fits your practice.

Local audio stays on your device

Choose local transcription when you want the audio processed on your own device, with no internet connection required.

Free local dictation for the whole practice

Unlimited local models are included at $0. Start with every clinician who needs to dictate, without a per-seat transcription limit.

Works without Wi-Fi

Local models run offline, so a weak clinic connection or a day away from the office does not stop dictation.

A custom dictionary for practice language

Add client names, medications, modalities, and acronyms so the words your practice uses have the spellings you expect.

Dictate into the record you already use

A system-wide hotkey puts text where your cursor is, whether that is your practice system, Word, or an email.

Cloud when setup speed matters

OpenWhispr Cloud delivers top accuracy and speed without asking you to download a local transcription model.

Cloud audio is not kept

When you use OpenWhispr Cloud, audio is sent only to transcribe it and is immediately discarded afterwards.

100+ languages

Choose from speech-to-text support for more than 100 languages across every plan.

Unlimited Cloud transcription when you need it

Pro adds unlimited Cloud transcription, sync, mobile, and API/MCP access. Business adds Agent mode and chat over data.

Open source, auditable by anyone

The code is public on GitHub, so you can inspect how OpenWhispr works instead of taking a privacy slogan on faith.

Before you download

The questions therapists ask first.

Straight answers on privacy, cost, and how the transcription choices work. If yours is not here, ask us in Discord.

What users say

Built by people who do not want every conversation recorded.

From our Discord, GitHub, and inboxes, the same instinct that matters in a confidential practice.

Client session audio on a server

In local mode the audio never leaves your device. Nothing is stored on a server, and nothing is sent to a transcriber.

Started using OpenWhispr with my local models and hardware. I have to say, this is better than typing.

0xSero@0xSero

I switched to voice input for my Claude Code chats. Even when I stumble and rephrase mid-sentence, the transcription comes out clean and polished.

j3iiifn@j3iiifn

I needed a local model for when I'm travelling or have no WiFi, and this perfectly solves it. The UI and performance are great.

Gabe@gabe__perez

Pricing

Free forever.
Upgrade when you want more.

Compare OpenWhispr plans for therapists
	FreePopular $0No card details needed Loading...	Pro $6.67/user/mo$80/user billed annually Start with Pro	Business $13.33/user/mo$160/user billed annually Start with Business
Best for	Therapists who want a useful free start with local dictation and limited Cloud transcription	Therapists who want unlimited Cloud transcription plus mobile, sync, and API/MCP access	Practices documenting at volume with Agent mode and chat over data
Main reason to choose	Useful Free access, including local dictation and limited Cloud transcription	Unlimited Cloud transcription plus mobile, sync, and API/MCP access	Unlimited meeting recordings plus Agent mode and chat over data
Offline speech-to-text	Included	Included	Included
Cloud speech-to-text	2,000 words/week via OpenWhispr Cloud, or unlimited using your own API keys	Unlimited OpenWhispr Cloud speech-to-text	Unlimited OpenWhispr Cloud speech-to-text
Meeting recordings	5 hours/month	20 hours/month	Unlimited
Privacy & data handling	Offline audio stays on your device. Cloud audio is sent only to transcribe it, then never stored.	Offline audio stays on your device. Cloud audio is sent only to transcribe it, then never stored.	Offline audio stays on your device. Cloud audio is sent only to transcribe it, then never stored.
Setup experience	Hands-on: install app, choose local models, optionally add API keys	Easy: install app, upgrade, use unlimited cloud speech-to-text	Moderate: configure users, Agent mode, and data workflows
Advanced features	Custom dictionary improves names/terms 100+ languages multilingual speech-to-text	Custom dictionary improves names/terms 100+ languages multilingual speech-to-text Device sync use across devices Mobile companion app dictate on mobile API / MCP access connect tools/workflows	Custom dictionary improves names/terms 100+ languages multilingual speech-to-text Device sync use across devices Mobile companion app dictate on mobile API / MCP access connect tools/workflows Agent mode automate actions Chat over your data ask about files/transcripts
Team management	None	None	Basic team / workflow use
Support	Community support	Email support	Priority support

Need SSO, compliance features, admin controls, or dedicated support for a larger team?

Enterprise includes team features and admin controls, SSO, SAML, SCIM, audit logs, retention controls, and dedicated support.

Talk to us

Built in the open

Some conversations are private. We built for those.

OpenWhispr gives you a deliberate local option when you want speech transcribed on your own device.

We build in public. The code is on GitHub, where anyone can inspect how OpenWhispr works. When you choose local dictation, the transcription stays on your device.

Need help? Join the OpenWhispr community on Discord.

Free · open source · local-first

Your session note can start with your voice.

Download OpenWhispr and dictate the details while they are fresh. Choose the transcription path that fits your session and your setting.

Free local dictation on Mac, Windows & Linux.